ATTN: Karoline Leavitt – Trump’s Disastrous Federal Funding Freeze Leaves Unanswered Questions Ahead of First WH Press Briefing
January 28, 2025
Karoline Leavitt is taking the podium for the first time today amid a swirl of questions after Donald Trump froze funding and put critical programs on the chopping block for millions of Americans – from seniors to hungry children to homeless veterans. Here are some questions for Trump’s new press secretary as she takes the podium today:
Will Trump let 72 million Americans on Medicaid go without access to critical — and often lifesaving — health care?
Roll Call: “[T]he pause could affect a big swath of programs that aid lower-income households, including: Medicaid”
Jeff Stein, Washington Post: “UPDATE: Numerous sources now ARE reporting problems with the Medicaid payment system, per @ddiamond. More TK”
Will Trump let seniors waiting for their Meals on Wheels go hungry today?
Arthur Delaney, HuffPost: “Meals on Wheels America spox on OMB pause:
“‘[T]he uncertainty right now is creating chaos for local Meals on Wheels providers not knowing whether they should be serving meals today. Which unfortunately means seniors will panic not knowing where their next meals will come from.’”
Will Trump leave veterans on the streets out in the cold and without a roof over their head?
Jeff Stein, Washington Post: “Just got off the phone with a northern California non-profit
“They provide emergency funds to help homeless veterans, particularly immediate $ to get them into hotels/shelters
“They are close to 100% funded by federal grants
“Official warned homeless veterans will get hurt if their grants are frozen, which they think appears likely under the OMB order”
Will Trump let the millions of children who rely on school breakfast programs and 42 million families that rely on food stamps go hungry?
Associated Press: “But there was no explanation of whether the pause would affect Medicaid, food stamps, disaster assistance and other programs.”
Roll Call: “[T]he pause could affect a big swath of programs that aid lower-income households, including … school breakfast”
Will Trump leave millions of Americans without access to clean drinking water?
Roll Call: “The Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Community Development Block Grant Program and EPA grants to states and localities for clean water infrastructure — both of which fund a large chunk of congressional earmarks each year — could also be impacted.”
Will Trump gut cancer research programs, rolling back years of efforts to help save the lives of millions of Americans, including children with cancer?
New York Times: “‘From pausing research on cures for childhood cancer to halting food assistance, safety from domestic violence and closing suicide hotlines, the impact of even a short pause in funding could be devastating and cost lives,’ [Diane Yentel, the chief executive of the National Council of Nonprofits] added. ‘This order could decimate thousands of organizations and leave neighbors without the services they need.’”
Will Trump leave pregnant mothers and newborns without critical nutrition assistance?
Roll Call: “[T]he pause could affect a big swath of programs that aid lower-income households, including: … the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children.”
Will Trump leave millions of Americans suffering from natural disasters — including those who lost their homes and livelihoods — without relief?
Reuters: “The memo did not exempt disaster aid to areas like Los Angeles and western North Carolina that have been devastated by natural disasters. Trump pledged government support when he visited both places last week.”
Will Trump leave children who rely on Head Start without critical early education programs?
Roll Call: “[T]he pause could affect a big swath of programs that aid lower-income households, including: … Title 1 education grants … [and] Head Start”
Washington, DC Public Schools: “Title I funds are used solely to help ensure that children, regardless of family income, can acquire an equitable and quality education that will allow students to become academically proficient.”